Goalkeeping crisis: Osayi, Obasogie deserve Super Eagles’ call-up – Kano Pillars coach – Newstrends
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Goalkeeping crisis: Osayi, Obasogie deserve Super Eagles’ call-up – Kano Pillars coach

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1 year ago

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Goalkeeping crisis: Osayi, Obasogie deserve Super Eagles’ call-up – Kano Pillars coach

ABDULLAHI Maikaba, Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars Football Club, has recommended Kingdom Osayi and Amas Obasogie of Doma United and Bendel Insurance, respectively, as good alternatives to resolve the Super Eagles goalkeeping crisis.

Maikaba said this in an interview with journalists shortly after the Match Day 13 fixture of the NPFL 2023/2024 season, which was played at Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe, on Saturday, with Kano Pillars losing 0-1 to Doma United.

He said with the form of both players, they deserved to be called up for the national team to help address the goalkeeping challenges being experienced by the team.

“Football is improving in Nigeria, especially at the league level.

“We hope the national team selectors will look inwards to our league.

“I recommend Doma United’s Kingdom and Bendel Insurance’s Amas to be of help to our national team.

“I believe these two goalkeepers can be safe hands for the Super Eagles,” he said.

On the outcome of the game, Maikaba said the fact that Doma United defeated his team by a lone goal didn’t mean the hosts were better than his team.

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He said his players were unlucky not to have grabbed the equalising goal, and he expressed optimism that his team had enough opportunity to recover and get to the top.

Asked why the 18-year-old Yusuf Abdullahi could not score a goal in spite scoring five at the same stadium on Sunday, Maikaba said it was due to pressure.

He stated that the player was under pressure from those who wanted to sell him to clubs outside the country.

“After scoring five goals, there must have been a lot of pressure on him, especially those that want to sell him out.

“We had to collect his phone for him to concentrate. I think that was part of his problem today,” he said.

Maikaba commended the turn out of supporters to watch their NPFL team play, adding that such attendance was good for the development of football in the country.

“I like the atmosphere, the supporters are out for them and it is good for Nigerian football,” he said.

On his part, Doma United’s Head Coach, Akinade Onigbinde, said Osayi had proven himself as a good goalkeeper that deserved a call-up to the national team.

Onigbinde said Osayi could challenge any goalkeeper in the national team in view of his impressive saves that had helped his team secure top spot in the NPFL.

He said he could give assurance to the coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, that Osayi would not disappoint if called up for national assignment.

“I brought Osayi to this team. I saw him when we played against Niger tornadoes in Kano last season.

“I saw the quality in him and since we had goalkeeping problems, I called him over, so I know he can do it.

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“He has the qualities to go to a national team. He is a fantastic goalkeeper and he has saved a lot of goals,” he said.

On the outcome of the game, he said they planned well for Kano Pillars knowing how good they were.

According to him, his defenders were tactically disciplined and that explained why Kano Pillars players found it difficult to score in the game.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Osayi attributed his success so far to God and fans of Doma United for their constant prayers and support.

He said he was not under any pressure to join the national team: “If I am given the opportunity to man the goal post (for the national team), I will be so excited, and I will definitely do my best.”

NAN reports that Osayi was named the NPFL player of the month for November, while Doma United coach was named coach of the month.

NAN also reports that Emmanuel Ekpenyong scored for Doma United in the 14th minute of the game to send his team to the top of the NPFL log with 25 points.

Doma now has two points ahead of Remo Stars and Lobi Stars who both have a game in hand.

Also, the 12, 000-capacity Pantami Township stadium was filled to capacity as fans crowded the facility to watch their teams play.

Goalkeeping crisis: Osayi, Obasogie deserve Super Eagles’ call-up – Kano Pillars coach

(NAN)

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Ancelotti laments after Valencia beat Real Madrid

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2 days ago

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April 6, 2025

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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti

Ancelotti laments after Valencia beat Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti lamented his side’s missed chances in a 2-1 home defeat by Valencia on Saturday, but urged his players to regain some focus ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash at Arsenal next week.

Valencia did leaders Barcelona a huge favour by shocking title-chasing Real in their first win away from home in La Liga this season thanks to a brilliant performance by Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Second-placed Real have 63 points from 30 games, three behind leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand when they host Real Betis later on Saturday, with eight games remaining.

Ancelotti acknowledged that winning La Liga had become a long shot but that it should not affect their Copa del Rey and Champions League campaigns.

“We have lost the opportunity to fight for the league with more forcefulness but the (Spanish Cup final) against Barcelona and the Arsenal clash will be different,” Ancelotti told a press conference on Saturday.

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“(Arsenal and Barcelona) will attack more and the game script will be much different. Sure, we will have to be better at the back and be effective up front, but can’t lose focus.

“It’s a fact that it is not that hard for our opponents to score against us at the moment. But that is no use moaning about it.

“This is not a deserved defeat (against Valencia). Could we have done better? Sure, but it’s not a lack of attitude. We deserved to win and it was because of details. We have to move on and focus on Arsenal on Tuesday.”

Ancelotti was unsure who he will name in goal at Arsenal as he was forced to start 19-year-old academy goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez against Valencia with Thibaut Courtois and Ukrainian replacement Andriy Lunin sidelined with injuries.

“Courtois practiced today and he felt good about it. Because it is still unclear if he will be good to go, we decided not to risk by playing Lunin today. Both will have a few more days to recover and we will see on Tuesday which options we have,” Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti laments after Valencia beat Real Madrid

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Jose Mourinho banned for three games, fined $7734

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2 days ago

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April 6, 2025

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Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho banned for three games, fined $7734

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been banned for three matches and fined around 6,000 pounds ($7,734.00) after grabbing the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in the Istanbul derby, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on Saturday.

The incident occurred at the end of the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, which Mourinho’s side lost 2-1 at home.

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A mass scuffle had broken out between both sets of players, with the referee sending three players off, two from Galatasaray, and after the final whistle the 62-year-old Portuguese appeared to pinch Buruk’s nose who then fell dramatically to the ground.

“Mourinho shall be banned from entering the dressing room and the bench for three official matches,” TFF said in a statement.

Jose Mourinho will miss the games against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor and Kayserispor.

Fenerbahce are second in the Super Lig, trailing leaders Galatasaray by six points with a game in hand.

Jose Mourinho banned for three games, fined $7734

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Ronaldo’s brace powers Al-Nassr to derby win over Al-Hilal

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3 days ago

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April 5, 2025

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Ronaldo’s brace powers Al-Nassr to derby win over Al-Hilal

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the second half, including a penalty, to guide Al-Nassr to a 3-1 win over Al-Hilal in the race for the Saudi Pro League title on Friday.

Al-Nassr remain in the third place with 54 points but they are now three points behind second-placed Al-Hilal and seven off leaders Al-Ittihad, who visit Al-Ahli on Saturday.

Al-Nassr opened the scoring before the interval when Ali Al Hassan curled a shot past goalkeeper Yassin Bono.

Ronaldo made it 2-0 two minutes after the break with a precise shot after a pass from Sadio Mane.

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Reigning champions Al-Hilal tried to fight back playing on the counter attack and reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute through Ali Al Bulayhi’s close-range header after a corner.

However, Ronaldo wrapped up the points for Al-Nassr with a penalty in the 88th minute awarded for a handball by substitute Mouteb Al-Harbi following a VAR review.

“The team effort was crucial to this win and me scoring is important but it’s more important to win” Ronaldo told SSC.

“I work hard to help the team in the SPL and Champions League and don’t concentrate on individual records” he added.

 

Ronaldo’s brace powers Al-Nassr to derby win over Al-Hilal

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